UIL Splits Abilene High and Cooper

UIL Splits Abilene High and Cooper

Realignment is nothing new for high school sports, but for the first time the UIL released the classification cutoff numbers ahead of February's realignment. With that announcement also comes the news that Abilene High and Cooper would once again be split up.

Realignment is nothing new for high school sports, but for the first time the UIL released the classification cutoff numbers ahead of February's realignment.

Abilene High barely falls into what is now Class 6A after the UIL changed six-man to Class 1A. That move though could send the Eagles in a different direction when it comes to their district.

"We just don't know where we're going to be. Now there's 11 [Class 6A] teams out in west Texas. The apprehension of not knowing what district we're going to be in is a little tough to think about, but we'll find that out in February," said Abilene High head coach Steve Warren.

The Cooper Cougars on the other hand stay put in Class 5A, and go from one of the smallest schools in their classification to one of the largest. At the same time head coach Todd Moebes says that doesn't change anything for his team on the field of competition.

"I don't know if it does anything for our team. One thing about it is you've got to go out and execute and play the game the way it's intended to be played regardless what your classification is," said Cooper head coach Todd Moebes.

One change that may unite many Cougar and Eagle fans is the separation of the two schools in classification. That means they will once again be unable to play in game that has an impact on a district title.

"The disappointing thing is we're split from Cooper again. That happened a few years ago, but we don't have any control over that. It's a UIL thing, and we just keep our head down and keep working. Play in the classification we're told to play in," said Warren.

Abilene High could still be in the same district as some of their other rivals from the "Little Southwest Conference" when the districts are announced come February.

That will not be the case for the Cooper Cougars, but at the same time they're looking to forming some new rivalries.

"You know those rivalries certainly are special and unique. You cherish the ones that you had, and they certainly were hopefully able cause some great memories.We look forward to new challenges, new teams, and new rivalries," said Moebes.

One of the rivalries that both Abilene High and Cooper are looking to continue is the annual Crosstown Showdown. An official decision on whether or not they can make that happen won't be known until the districts are released on February 3rd.

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